Full-time Geeks Shouldn't Ignore Physical Impact of the Craft
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Full-time Geeks Shouldn't Ignore Physical Impact of the Craft
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Re: Full-time Geeks Shouldn't Ignore Physical Impact of the Craft
#2Wouldn't wearing wrist supports all the time atrophy your wrist muscles and make the problem worse later? I always hear that doing free weights solves this issue. He says he's strapped for time, but there's also the old "spend time being sick later" adage.
Re: Full-time Geeks Shouldn't Ignore Physical Impact of the Craft
#3The main point is always worth reiterating (take care of your body), but before a bunch of people run out and buy wrist supports I just want to add that things like this are not universally endorsed by physical therapists (or fellow injury-prone hackers). They can lead to secondary issues like atrophy and poor circulation, which in turn lead to more issues, etc.
Having been through multiple versions of these (the kind he has, less restrictive ones, custom-molded ones), I found my body held up best when I kept it active and strong on its own. The term "crutch" has a double meaning in the English language for a reason: sometimes it's truly necessary, but when it's not truly necessary it's actually hurting you in the long run.
Re: Full-time Geeks Shouldn't Ignore Physical Impact of the Craft
#4This is why I like having a desktop for coding.
It's much more comfortable sitting in a nice chair, with two big monitors, an external ergonomic keyboard (Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite), and the Razer DeathAdder mouse (Not as ergonomic as a trackball mouse, but very ergonomic for a regular mouse).
You could do this with a laptop too, but you'll be more prone to coding on the couch, which will dramatically increase your chances of getting carpal tunnel.
Re: Full-time Geeks Shouldn't Ignore Physical Impact of the Craft
#5I wish that the Dvorak keyboard layout would get more attention and support. Prevention > Cure.
Re: Full-time Geeks Shouldn't Ignore Physical Impact of the Craft
#6I wish that the Dvorak keyboard layout would get more attention and support. Prevention > Cure.
The Dvorak layout doesn't prevent wrist problems.
Re: Full-time Geeks Shouldn't Ignore Physical Impact of the Craft
#7Wouldn't wearing wrist supports all the time atrophy your wrist muscles and make the problem worse later? I always hear that doing free weights solves this issue. He says he's strapped for time, but there's also the old "spend time being sick later" adage.
It's possible. I don't wear them constantly, but usually when there is soreness starting.
Re: Full-time Geeks Shouldn't Ignore Physical Impact of the Craft
#8The main point is always worth reiterating (take care of your body), but before a bunch of people run out and buy wrist supports I just want to add that things like this are not universally endorsed by physical therapists (or fellow injury-prone hackers). They can lead to secondary issues like atrophy and poor circulation, which in turn lead to more issues, etc. Having been through multiple versions of these (the kin…
Correct - the main point is take care of yourself. The wrist supports are an example of one thing I use to help.
Re: Full-time Geeks Shouldn't Ignore Physical Impact of the Craft
#9Upon graduating college and entering the workforce, I was debilitated by awful wrist pain. It was so bad, I could barely shift my car on the way home.
Over a decade later, my wrists hardly ever bother me. Physical therapy taught me to regularly stretch my wrists, and how to strengthen them. I began pursuing other activities which further strengthened my wrists (rock climbing is particularly great, so long as you avoid overdoing it and injuring yourself worse).
My basic advice to people now is:
1) Follow the Pomodoro technique, or whatever it takes to force yourself to get up, stretch, and move around for at least five minutes per hour. We all sort of hear that and nod, but think about how many times you've gotten really deep into a problem and sat there, twisted like a pretzel as you try to solve it, for hours on end. You have to condition yourself to take real, meaningful breaks.
2) Sit up straight, dammit. In every photo we ever see of new startups, how many people are sitting with good posture? None of them.
3) Get a keyboard with light-touch Cherry key switches. I'm partial to the Kinesis ergo line, but there are others.
4) Get active. Straighten your spine and go for a walk around the block a few times per day. Take up yoga, climbing, martial arts, or weight lifting. Focus on improving posture, flexibility, and balanced strength. Find some hobby that will get you away from the computer.
Re: Full-time Geeks Shouldn't Ignore Physical Impact of the Craft
#10This is why I like having a desktop for coding. It's much more comfortable sitting in a nice chair, with two big monitors, an external ergonomic keyboard (Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite), and the Razer DeathAdder mouse (Not as ergonomic as a trackball mouse, but very ergonomic for a regular mouse). You could do this with a laptop too, but you'll be more prone to coding on the couch, which will dramatically increase…
I wonder if not using mouse helps against the syndrome? I'm coding only on notebooks + touchpad for last 10 years, and never had a problem.
Though reading stories from people with syndrome makes me worrying :)